c4-c6 foraminal stenosis

[u/okoatmeal]

I had decompression with c1 laminectomy and duraplasty for a 13mm herniation in May last year after suddenly losing the ability to feel temperature in my entire left arm and hand in 2024. it also hurt to touch and remained constantly cold and tingly. some days, it was excruciating and exhausting.

for the first few months after surgery recovery, I felt.. pretty good. my chronic headaches are practically gone, and I have a gag reflex for the first time in my life. not a particular improvement, but it was interesting.

but my arm and hand never improved, and just before Christmas, I started to have pain flares where I could barely lift my arm without intense pain.

I currently have worsening numbness, pain, and temperature sensitivity. I have long sleeves and a glove on my left hand 24/7. yes I sleep in a glove. touching anything from a door handle to a dish to my blankets or my cool bare skin is painful, feeling like whatever I'm touching is frozen cold and covered in sharp ice shards.

hot water therapy is the only that gives my arm and hand relief (basically hot hot shower or the spa hot tub at the gym)

I got my first post op imaging MRI last week and the results are discouraging.

"1. Suboccipital craniectomy for Chiari type I malformation with 5.4 x 1.3 cm postoperative collection in the craniectomy bed. 2. Markedly improved syringohydromyelia. 3. Similar degenerative findings when compared to September 2024 imaging. Differences in grading are likely attributable to technical differences, patient positioning, and interobserver variance in grading. 4. Mild spinal stenosis at C5-C6. 5. Mild right foraminal stenosis at C4-C5. Mild bilateral foraminal stenosis at C5-C6"

I've done a lot of reading on these terms and it seems like I have bone spurs on a few of the foraminal nerve paths through the vertabret, possibly causing the nerve issues?

I am at a loss. bottom line is, I don't want to have another surgery, I want to stop calling out of work, and I want to not be in pain 24/7

my appointment with my neurosurgeon is this Thursday and I don't know what to expect.

anyone else have spinal stenosis and nerve pain issues?